Fans of The Lion King waited eagerly for the box office to open today as they tried to get their hands on tickets a whole hour earlier than those buying online or over the phone.

The record-breaking musical is returning to Manchester next year after a sell-out run in 2012, and fans were desperate to get their hands on tickets for the show, based on the 1994 Disney film.

Fans queued outside the Palace Theatre box office and onto Whitworth Street waiting for the tickets to go on sale at 9am.

Hopeful musical fans buying online or over the phone had to wait until 10am.

With every single performance of its 166 show run in 2012 selling out it was no surprise fans were eager for a second chance to see musical.

Stacey Broadmeadow, theatre manager, said: “It is wonderful to see Manchester embracing the return of this phenomenal production, and to see the excitement building ahead of the show returning to the Palace Theatre stage in January next year.

“Having Disney’s The Lion King at the Palace Theatre for 166 sold out performances was a truly memorable experience for us as a venue, and for our audiences who embraced and championed the show. We are so looking forward to welcoming this very special production for a second time.”

People queue for Lion King tickets (Image: Courtesy of Palace Theatre)

As Manchester is the only city in the UK and Ireland The Lion King is returning to it is no surprise demand is likely to be high.

It’s five week run will start on January 17, 2015, and is expected to be another sell out hit.

The musical has been credited with bringing a whole new audience to theatre as 64 per cent of the Manchester audience were found to be first-time attendees at the Palace Theatre to watch the heart-warming tale of Simba the lion cub who grows up to avenge his father’s death.

It also proved a tourism boost for the city, with hoteliers and restaurateurs reaping the benefit to the tune of £15m during the 21-week run.